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Monday, March 6, 2017

Getting ready to quilt the 'scrappy green'

First of all; THANK YOU to all of you who took the time to leave comments on my previous post! Much appreciated!

I think I've never showed you how I prepare a quilt for quilting?

There are different ways to do it; on the floor, on the table, with or without a plank, the easy way (?) on the frame, longarm etc. No longarm in this house, not even a plank! :)

I'm fortunate to have a considerable large sewing table. Actually it is MIL's old dining table (seats 12) that I've refurbished with new top and re-painted. Love that table!

The 'disadvantage' when preparing for quilting a big quilt, is that I have to empty the table! This is how it looked like a some days ago...

...and then...

An empty sewing table causes anxiety!!! LOL

... but it didn't last long!

Here I'm getting the quilt back ironed before it moves to the table.

I'm using masking tape to hold the quilt back in place (on each side).

Getting the batting in place is the fun part! NOT!!! :(

There we are! The batting centred, smoothed and lightly ironed.

The quilt top centred. Since the backing is pieced too, this took some time to get the top adjusted to the back, but I got there! :) Very little margin (each side of the backing), about 2 inches on each side on the backing so had to be very careful and do the right measurements!

See that little yellow basting thread that pops up from the white rectangle?

That's the centre of the top and it has to fit exactly with the centre of the backing.

First, I pin baste the part that is on the table. When that is done, I thread baste the same area and remove the pins. Yes, I can hear you; 'why does she pin baste AND thread baste?!'

Bad experience! I've tried several times to quilt without thread basting (pins only), and it ended up puckering (every time!) and I had to spend wasted time ripping. For not to talk about the umpteenth times of broken needles (several swearwords and more coffee!) because the needle hit the pins! So, that's why I prefer to take the time to thread baste before quilting.

When the centre is done, I continue doing the the top and bottom.

OK! All done! Now it's ready to be quilted and I just realised I don't have enough quilting thread! Should have thought of that earlier! DUH! Oh well, have to put it aside for a couple of weeks until I get the spools. Have a nice week!

7 comments:

Pinning a quilt is always a lot of work, not matter the method. I did try this technique and it doesn't work well with me. BUT, I did find a "trick of the trade" that really helped. Fold the backing in two, top to bottom. Pin the crease on both sides. Unfold and proceed the same way you usually do. Now repeat with the top. When spreading the top on the table, match the right pins together and the left pins together. It is a perfect alignment. I found it to be easier. But pinning is a big job. ;^)

Astrid, this is a great post. You pics and description are perfect. You take a lot of time and trouble with your work, which is why your quilts turn out so beautifully and masterfully made!Thank you for sharing the process.~ Janie at Isabella's Whimsy

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About Me

I'm a Norwegian woman who settled in the tropical island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean in 2003. I'm a homemaker and like to spend my time on crafts. I was hit by the quilting bug after I settled here and it is still my favorite pastime.